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Sinus Problems – Can Central Heating Be Causing Your Issues?

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People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure. Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit.

When the temperature drops, you turn on your heater and wait for it to get warm and cozy in your home. The last thing you want to do is start sneezing, blowing your nose, and coughing! However, many homeowners begin noticing these symptoms as soon as their heater begins working.

Unfortunately, your central heating system could be the culprit. People don’t typically blame their furnaces when they feel sinus pressure, especially during the colder seasons. Many assume they caught “that bug going around” or another type of illness. However, if you notice persistent symptoms this winter, your heating system may be affecting your indoor air quality, and it’s worth getting it checked out.

Very good, pleased with service.
Excellent service from Nick!
I am very pleased with the service provided.
, especially the quick response to my request . The technician came in themorning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
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Here on time, worked fast. Always pleasant and great answering questions. Zach always does a great job.
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great job
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Extremely quick response for appointment and did quick fix for our furnace and heat is working great !
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear our team was able to respond quickly and get your furnace working great. We appreciate your feedback!
They were timely, polite, professional and they saved us from too much sweating. In a field full of pompous and arrogant technicians, these guys take the time to explain what is wrong and how they are correcting it. Other folks just assume you are incompetent but these folks take the time to educate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
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Great service and arrived on time when promised.
Response from the owner:Thank you Wray, for your kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything was on time.
I would like to have a receipt for my payment which I did not receive. On a positive note he was very punctual very early actually he did his job and was very professional and I'm hoping and praying this took care of the issue thank you and I would not hesitate at this time to use your services
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your feedback and for highlighting the punctuality and professionalism of our team; we appreciate your support and will ensure you receive your receipt promptly.
Our experience with them was fantastic all the way through! Not only were they able to get to our business that day but the customer service from the phone call to the on-site service was professional and quick. We'll definitely be using Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear about your fantastic experience and appreciate your kind words about our team's professionalism. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Zachary was here on the dot at 8:00am. Thank for making me the first stop as promised. Very friendly too.
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Competence and knowledge have been my experience.
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I couldn’t be happier with the service from Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning! From the moment I called, the team was professional, responsive, and truly knowledgeable. Thomas personally made sure everything was handled with great attention to detail. The installation was smooth, efficient, and the quality of the work exceeded my expectations. It’s rare to find a company that is both skilled and genuinely cares about their customers. I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning to anyone looking for honest, reliable, and top-notch service. They’ve definitely earned a loyal customer!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Rick, for your kind words and for recognizing our team's hard work; we're grateful for your support and thrilled to have earned your loyalty!
Amazing service from Thomas Hoffmann! They made space in their schedule to come out the next day to fix our air conditioner. They were on time, honest and fixed the problem on the spot. Thank you!
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Excellent Service!
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Fast efficient service. Both of the gentlemen that came to my home were very help and informative not to mention polite. It’s difficult to get service advisers to appear at your home when scheduled most times they’re late or don’t show up at all. Not an issue with this team on time, clear diagnosis, quick repair. I would definitely use Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning again. I recommend them highly.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Anna, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our team provided you with timely and helpful service, and we appreciate your high recommendation.
Tom was great. Super quick and easy! Serviced my unit in under 24 hours.
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I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multiple
technicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
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The OG brother, Thomas Hoffmann, his son Nick, who and the entire team are fantastic! They have my highest respect and recommendation!
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Fast response and great quality work.
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Very quick and efficient
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He got my ac up in running in no time.
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Giovanni was amazing. Explained everything in detail.and really made sure my unit is operating at its best. Very happy with them.
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Came out immediately after a time slot opened and fixed the AC issue.
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words! We're glad we could address your AC issue promptly.
Outstanding in every respect.
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Zachary was very knowledgeable and informative! Highly recommend!
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First visit for my maintenance program. Arrived on time. Very polite to talk to. They discussed what they did and everything was good. They were professional. I would recommend this company to everyone.
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They were quick and did an exce
llent job on a very hot day. Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating, Tom!
Very knowledgeable. Very professional. Tom was very thorough and finally confirmed the issues in the system that no one else bothered to check.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words; it's great to hear that Tom's thoroughness made a difference in addressing the issues in the system. We look forward to working with you in the future!
Excellent Service. Thank you Zackery
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I’ve been using “THOMAS Hoffmann Airconditioning and Heating” for years now. We have a 30 +\- year old system that works perfectly for us. Although we’ve not had to use it yet, it is comforting to know they offer a 24 hour on call service. I really appreciate that the technicians don’t try to upsell us on anything. They’re a very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, local-family owned and operated business. I’ve also found their pricing to be very fair and by”fair” I don’t mean “cheap” but reasonable… especially for the quality of service provided by THOMAS Hoffmann HVAC. I love supporting smaller family owned business and this one is top-notch! Thank you guys!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words, Mari! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are glad to hear about your positive experiences with our services. We look forward to continuing to provide you with top-notch service in the future.
Great customer service & experience for our HVAC System! They installed two UV lights and a dehumidifier. On time, great service, the new items work great - Great HVAC Service in St. Louis! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with your installations Your satisfaction is our priority!
Thank you Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning for doing a great of repairing our HVAC system that was damaged during a power outage. You installed our new HVAC system late last year and promptly responded to our call for repair after a power surge impacted our subdivision.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Don, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning was able to assist you so quickly after the power surge and that you're satisfied with your new HVAC system. Your support means a lot to us!
Always great service!
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This company is so responsive that I love them. They respond immediately, and I trust them to tell me what needs to be done. I haven’t been steered wrong yet. They are genuinely nice to work with and honest. I use their maintenance program which I highly recommend.
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Quick response and did a great job. On a Saturday.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Scott! We're glad to hear you appreciated the quick response and great service, especially on a Saturday. We look forward to continue serving you.
Super easy to schedule, arrived on time and quickly fixed my AC. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, William! We're glad to hear scheduling was easy and that your AC was fixed promptly. We appreciate your feedback!
Giovanni was good…. This is reason we ask for him
Response from the owner:Thanks so much!
As owner of rental and living out of town, it is very easy and painless to have Thomas Hoffman schedule all of my seasonal work with the tenant. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for trusting us with your rental property maintenance, Dan! We appreciate your recommendation!
Just had our annual service on our A/C. The technician, Giovanni, was very professional, friendly, thorough and spent time explaining what all he did and what his findings were. Couldn't be happier. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THOMAS HOFFMAN AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING.
Response from the owner:Terry, we're so grateful for your kind words and for recommending us! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our technician during your annual furnace service. Thank you for choosing Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating!
I called on December 25th at midnight and started leaving a message and Thomas Hoffman the owner called me back almost immediately. He said he would come out the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am snd he was promptly on time. He fixed my problem and while he was there I decided to get an estimate for a new furnace and air conditioning unit. The price was very reasonable and the installers one of them being his son were both very professional very courteous, polite, arrived on time and finished the same day. I enjoy knowing that I now have the support of Thomas Hoffman heating and air conditioning along with the peace of mind that comes with owning a Trane. Nothing stops a Trane.

Albert Koesterer
Response from the owner:Albert thanks so much for your kind reviews and your business. We truly appreciate it!!!
I made another service call years after my last review. Once again, Tom did not disappoint. He identified the cause of my newly purchased system installed by another HVAC company. He explained it so simple and easy to understand without the technical jargons. I just wished I had purchased the new equipment from Tom instead of saving a few hundred dollars from his competition.
Response from the owner:Thank you, J, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Tom was able to assist you so effectively and make everything easy to understand. We appreciate your continued trust in our services and hope to help you again in the future!
I've used these guys twice now and their response time is great, they are friendly, informative, and most importantly, effective. I'm calling these folks every time my furnace sounds weird.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Greg! We're glad to hear that you've had such positive experiences with our team. Providing timely and effective service is our priority, and we're here whenever you need us. Looking forward to assisting you again!
Nick fixed my furnace today, excellent service, very personable and quick service on the coldest day of the year. Thank you!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Randy, for the fantastic 5-star rating; we appreciate your support!

Can Your Furnace Actually Make You Sick?

Bacteria and viruses make us sick. However, dust, mold, mildew growth, and fungi can contribute to allergies. Many of the symptoms of seasonal illnesses are mimicked by the body’s response to breathing in these allergens. Dry air, caused by low humidity, dusty and dirty vents can all contribute to these problems.

Some of the symptoms you may experience this winter while you’re running your furnace may include:

  • Headaches
  • Sore throat
  • Coughing
  • Itchy nose & sneezing
  • Itchy eyes
  • Dry throat
  • Cracked lips
  • Dry skin
  • Nose bleeds

Central Heating Can Make Other Issues Worse

You may not typically experience allergies until you’re exposed to the allergens in your central heating system. However, for others who already deal with problems, their heating system could exacerbate their problems.

For instance, dry air, dust, and allergens can trigger coughing or shortness of breath if you’ve got asthma. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other lung conditions, may be affected by the air coming out of their HVAC system.

Central heating can also irritate the nose, making sinus infections worse. It can also contribute to dehydration, headaches, or migraines if you’re prone to them.

Why Do I Get a Stuffy Nose When the Air Conditioner Is On?

There are several possible reasons why you may be getting a stuffy nose when your air conditioner is on. Here are the most common reasons.

Allergies to Dust, Pollen, Dust Mites 

For people with allergies, a poorly maintained air conditioning unit can exacerbate their condition. Anything from dust mites, mold, pollen, or other allergens can circulate in the indoor air through a dirty air filter. That can lead to a stuffy nose, watery eyes, coughing, and even skin problems. 

Replacing or cleaning your air filters as often as the producer recommends is necessary and may even need to be done more often if you live in a dusty area. 

Temperature Differences Trigger a Runny Nose

Sometimes, a stuffy nose is simply caused by the difference between the indoor and the outdoor temperature. If the indoor air is much colder than the air outside, getting inside might be followed by a runny, stuffy nose. Some people react more than others to differences in temperature, but the effect should last only a few minutes. Anything more serious than that may be caused by something else.

There is not much you can do about getting a stuffy nose from the temperature differences, but it is relatively harmless.

The Air Conditioner Dries the Air too Much

Air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier, and your nose might get stuffy if the air is too dry. Other related symptoms are coughing, skin rashes, dry skin, and stingy eyes. If you suspect this might be the cause of your problems, get a hygrometer, a simple measuring instrument that indicates the relative humidity in the air. The Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping it in a range between 30 and 60%. If it’s lower than this, it may be a good idea to invest in an air humidifier.

You Are Breathing Recycled Air

Air conditioners circulate the outdoor air, process it through their filtering and cooling systems, and blow it back inside. Anything wrong with your duct system, air filters, or condenser unit can decrease the quality of your indoor air. If your stuffy nose doesn’t go away and the HVAC professional can’t identify an issue with your AC unit, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier

Having a stuffy nose may not always be related to the air conditioner, so it’s important to make sure there are no underlying health issues, like a viral infection or some other allergy.

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

For those with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system, especially young children or the elderly, maintaining indoor air quality is of the utmost importance to overall health. Our expert indoor air quality technicians can install an air purification system in your air ducts.

In addition, your HVAC system needs to be maintained regularly, especially if you have allergies. At least once a year, you’re going to want to have your entire system maintained and your air quality checked. It would help if you also changed your filters every 1-3 months, depending on how many people and pets live in your home.

Certain kinds of mold are toxic to humans, even if you don’t suffer from allergies. You should always have your HVAC ducts tested for mold. Mold growth usually indicates a moisture problem, so a mold inspection can help you pinpoint more significant issues in your home, like water damage.

Indoor Air Quality – St. Louis HVAC

Allergies can substantially negatively impact your physical and mental health, so if you are suffering, don’t ignore them. One of the best things you can do to help your allergies is to maintain good indoor air quality, and your HVAC technician might be your best friend on this front.

At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC, we are a full-service residential heating and air conditioning company in St. Louis. With over 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s HVAC system.

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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.

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